ERDOGAN: “GOVERNMENT’S DOING ITS BEST ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE”
Stating that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government was doing its best to find a solution to the Cyprus issue, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has certain sensitive points which are indispensable. If this fact is recognized, then the problem can be solved.” Addressing the deputies at his party’s parliamentary group meeting, Erdogan also commented on opposition parties’ harsh criticisms on the government’s Cyprus policy. “People who haven’t done anything on the issue up to now, is now using the topic as a material for their election campaigns,” said Erdogan. He called on all political parties to express their views and offers on the matter. Meanwhile, a session that was set to be held yesterday on the Cyprus issue in Parliament was postponed due to the ongoing talks in New York. /Turkiye/

DENKTAS PROPOSES TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND TO CONTINUE UNTIL MARCH 31
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Greek Cyprus leader Tassos Papadopoulos yesterday met again in New York for the second-tour of negotiations. During the meeting, Denktas stated that the TRNC would accept Annan to fill in the blanks under certain conditions such as to begin negotiations as soon as possible and to continue them until March 31, adding that if both sides agree the talks could also continue by March 20. “If we fail to reach an agreement by March, then Ankara and Athens would also participate in the negotiations,” said Denktas. He added that if sides could not still reach an agreement, then Annan should fill in the blanks to reach a resolution on the island. The sides are expected to meet again today for the third tour of negotiations. In related news, TRNC Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas said yesterday that the negotiations were continuing under the UN Cyprus plan, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side was pleased with the negotiations. “The meeting was very positive,” he said. “It seems that the meetings will continue next week.” /Aksam/

VERHEUGEN: “IF TURKEY JOINS THE EU, THE UNION WILL BE SUPERPOWER”
Speaking to German daily Süddeutsche Zeitung, European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen stated that if Turkey joined the ranks of the EU, the Union would then become a superpower. Stressing that the EU and Turkey should develop common defense and foreign policies, Verheugen argued that after Turkey’s participation Europe would be able to sustain stability in the global level as a superpower. “Turkey must be accepted into the EU,” said the EU commissioner. “It’s in favor of Europeans to accept Turkey, which will also show that Islam and democracy are compatible.” /Hurriyet/

LUXEMBOURG’S PREMIER JUNCKER: “TURKEY’S EU MEMBERSHIP TALKS MUST START”
Jean-Claude Juncker, the long-serving prime minister of Luxembourg, who is also well known for his opposition to Turkey’s EU membership, yesterday changed sides by making a surprising statement that Turkey’s membership negotiations must begin. Recalling that Turkey made significant progress in human rights in the last three years, Juncker said, “After contemplating on this issue, I’ve decided that Turkey’s EU membership will greatly contribute to desired cooperation between the Christianity and Islam.” /Hurriyet/

GREEK MINISTER TO VISIT TURKEY
Greece is currently seeking security support from its neighbors for the 2004 Olympic Games. Greek State Minister for Public Order George Florides is scheduled to visit Turkey in the following days. Florides is to discuss with the Turkish officials the measures to be taken to crack down on terrorist organizations. He is expected to propose the Turkish authorities to improve bilateral cooperation to fight against cross border terrorism and to hold joint security operations if necessary. /Sabah/

MUBARAK VISITS ANKARA
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak yesterday arrived in Ankara to pay an official visit. Mubarak met with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. The two leaders agreed to boost bilateral cooperation by working to realize a venture on the transfer of Egyptian natural gas to Turkey and declared consensus that Iraq’s territorial integrity and unity must be protected. Then, Mubarak met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok. /Turkiye/

THE WB TURKEY DIRECTOR URGES CONTINUATION OF TURKEY’S STRUCTURAL REFORMS
Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu yesterday met with visiting World Bank Turkey Director Andrew Vorkink to discuss recent economic developments and structural reforms. During their talks, Vorkink urged continuation of Turkey’s structural reforms, adding that if Turkey fails to implement them as soon as possible, then it could be difficult to implement them later. He praised the government’s efforts to maintan the economic stability during the first year of its term office. “First, the government aimed to achieve the economic stability which was a right choice,” added Vorkink. /Milliyet/